210
Registered User
wrong, Avs.... contract is expiring and Colorado made its decision as is with most contracts you intend to leave a market a clause says prior to exiting you must have another organization in line to not violate the league by law or face a penalty.... Portland had this clause in their entire existence, if there was to be a change of affiliates, that had to be agreed upon, no matter who the affiliate was.... even Spectra had to be notified when the Pirates were sold in 2015/16, the outstanding lease to break said contract with Cross had to be paid whether Florida moved with the franchise or not
Washington did that in 2005, Portland got Anaheim, when Buffalo came in three years later before buying Rochester, they honored it, Portland got Arizona, when the Coyotes deal expired, they went to Springfield, and Florida came from San Antonio, until the team was sold to Springfield... I suspect most independent teams have similar clauses, as do those owned outright by NHL clubs since NHL Clubs are not bound to negotiate an affiliate lease with an arena operator, otherwise, Arizona couldn't step in to an internal dispute between the affiliate and the arena operator even when asked because it was later determined that that piece solely was on the affiliate/tenant.
No such bylaw exists in the AHL.